Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-08-06
COMMUNICATIONS
PROHIBITION.


for settlement. Fora number of years men |
onseryant OF the signs OF the times, have felt |
that something must be done 70 stay The tide
of evil flowing from tie liquor traffic In
deed, SO potent and predominant are the evil
denees that this tfafrc is responsible for the
greater port OF the crime, suffering and pow
erty Of our people, that In this great conflict
we cannot afford 10 parley with the lndivid- !
ual so Anticipated IN his judgment Of the evil
as to deny this proposition. Our arguments
must be confined TO men who live abreast
with the times.
Let me here preface what | shall say on
this question with word of congratulation
10 the newspapers OF Tennessee which have
opened their columns to fair and moderate
discussion oft tits presumable that large
majority OF the citizens Of the state depend
solely upon the press for information upon
subjects Of public interest and the newspaper
which perslstenlly refuses TO allow Il readers
to receive instruction ON public questions
through its columns must necessarily fail ~
n newspaper. II may succeed as the paid or
gan OF a faction, Tut the word newspaper as
applied to such a sheet is mlsnomer. II Is
not my purpose to question the motives OF
men nor the policies Of papers, but think II
due the subscribers OF the Democrat that the
following statement be made:
A gentleman OF this city, having learned
that articles advocating prohibition could not
be inserted In that paper except for pay, not
outstanding the fact that the paper had pro-
claimed ia italics that the fair discussion Of
public questions would be permitted, called
on the proprietor and contracted for a certain
amount of space to be uGed in a legitimate
way for the amendment. The gentleman
proceeded TO raise the required amount and
rendered IL In payment Of space contracted
for, but the proprietor refused to ratlfy his
contract, stating that the Democrat had de-
cided not to publish anything favorable TO the
amendment under any circumstances. This
incident is given that subscribers to the DEM
ocrat may know that If they wish to get any
Information regarding the proposed consttu-
tional amendment to be voted on September
Goth. 1887, they must seek such information
from some source other than the Democrat,
unless they are willing to accept as infallible
the statements OF a paper which will not
even sell space for the legitimate use Of those
whose ideas are not III accord with its policy.
Prohibitlonists feel that fair and honorable
discussion Of this question can but result In
the triumph fright
What means this agitation from Carter to
ShelbyP Simply this; The people of Ten
nessee, black and white, republican and
democratic, realizing the enormity OF the
iniquitIous effects OF the liquor traffic, de-
manded of all candidates for legislative
honors that they submit to them for ratifica-
tlou or rejection an amendment to the con-
stitution of the State prohibiting the man.
ufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage. In compliance with this universal
demand Of the people, the legislature sub
mitted to them with only six dissenting
voices, the following proposed amendment
TO the constitution:
SECTION L. No person shall manufacture
for sale, or sell, or keep for sale as a beverage
any intoxicating liquors whatever, Including
wine, ale and beer. The General Assembly
shall by law prescribe regulations for the Ell.
forcement of the prohibition herein con-
tanned, and shall thereby provide suitable
penalties for the violation OF the provisions
hereof
Now let me say that If any man will read
and digest the provisions OF this amendment
it will forever set at rest his qualms of con.
science, in so far as interference with con.
situtional rights are concerned. The
supreme court of the United States in ls4t
settld the question of the constitutionality Of
prohibition, as the following from Howards
report OF cases argued and adjudged in thai
court will show:
If any State deems the retail and internal
traffic In ardent spirits injurious 10 its cit
ig4ns, and calcnIated to produce idleness
vice, or deb,,uchery, | see nothing in the
constitution of the United States TO prevent
it from regulating and restraining the traffic
or from prohibiting II altogether, If IL think'
proper % Howard, bb7
This opinion, delivered over forty years agC
by Chief Justice fancy, and concurred in 10y
the other justices, not only determines thu
onstitutionality of prohibition, but shows
conclusively that at that stage of American
civilization the liquor traffic was demanding
the serious attention Of the nation on accom-
of its tendency ito produce idleness, vice anC
de1auchery."
The amendment proposed therefore In
fringes upon no right. on the contrary, IL
aim and object is to suppress a wrong. Til,
State has granted its vendors the privilege 0
tratficking in liquor. The traffic has gr WI
more and more odious and hurtful TO her citi
zens and her prosperity. Now her citizens arr
called upon to decide whether Oh not they
will submit longer to such infringements OF
their right to peace and prosperity There
amendment
LIST. Because they fear 1t will establish dan
gerous precedent to tamper with the constitu
ton. TO such let me say that in this progress
sive age with the judcous restrictions place.
about the inroads to our or anic law and th'
consequent restrictions placed upon the Gus
todians of our civil government, no politlca
problem can rCacha pontrequiring the voic,
ofthe people to pronounce Its solution unles
is importune demands such procedure
Hence vox populi vox del. Henc If such al
director believes that the liquor traffic is al
incubus to the happiness aud prosperity o
~ the State, 1t is pre-emlnenty his duty to vot
f0rthis amendment.
ID. Bseause they fear 1t will increase taxa
ton. l WIZ here remind the reader that n
this argument I assume that he recognize
the evils of the trafsc, Now, II my assumr
ton is correct, may nOtwith propriety asl
the question; Would you eansent BY you
vote to ran the machinery of rsais govern
ment with blood money! or with the>mone,
wruug by drunken husband out of IA
mouths fhis half-fed wife and children an,
thrown into the Golfers OF the liquor dealer
who tnrns over to the Stale small per cent